Connecticut western news., 1887-08-17

that Mrs. Girton looked up Tn alarm as Grace Douglass came into the hall. But Mamie and Sadie Girton were behind her and Will Douglass brought up the rear; so, treasured as to the possibility of an accident, Mrs. Girton smiled at her wards eager face, quite sure that Grace had favor to ask, and quite sure, also, that the flavor" was to be allowed to do something for somebody else.
 "Well. my dear, what IS it9"
 But Grace's first words came as a very decided surprise.
 ''You know Saturday is my birthday, Auntie." ...
 "The most important day in the year," added Will.
 And I've been thinking that, if you didn't mind, should like"
 ITO celebrate it in a manner benefit ting the occasion," put in Will.
 Grace slipped her pretty hand over his lips. "Now do be quiet, while tell Auntic. I want to have picnic, Auntie, over in Eades's woods, with all the chiidrcn-all the little girls that is, that I can gather together in the village. Do say that may"
 '.But there are not more than half a dozen children" said Mrs. Girton, Soubtfully.
 ''Oh, but Aunty, mean all the chill dren. You know the poor little things don't have much fun, and really it's a simple affair. If you'll let Jane boil a ham and make a good supply of bread, I'll make lot of cookies and plain cake, and buy few pounds of candy, and that's all we'll need"
 Whereas, last year, when she was eighteen, we needed music, and salad, and ices, and jellies, and Chinese lan- terms, and new gown, and other things too numerous to mention," said Will, persuasively. "You see, Aunt Emily, this is decidedly more economical.
 Mrs. Girton laughed. Do as you like, my dear; only leave us enough in the house to last over Sunday. Jane shall boil the ham, and bake all the bread and cake you want Only you must see how many children there are. Twentya Fiftya I haven't the dim nest idea, myself"
 About thirty; certainly not more than thirty-tive," said Grace, who had made rapid calculation. "In the first place, there are Mamie and Saidee, and 1 know Mrs. Merton will let her chill dren comc Then there's the doctors little daughter, and child who is stay at the rectory." ''Six," said Will; ''and for number seven l suggest that baby at the black smiths"
 ''Four years old? Isn't that rather young2" said Mrs. Girton.
 "Will and she are great friends" said Grace, smiling. "We certainly must have her, and for the rest, I'll run over and ask Mrs. Merton for list of names. She knows everybody"
 "The very tNng," said Mrs. Girton. Suppose you go over there now. You will have time before tea-only she vii be sure to want you to stay"
 And Mrs. Merton did My dear Grace, how good of you! Come in, the tea bell has just rung," she began cordially, go- ing forward to meet the young lady, and drawing her arm through her own to lead her into the house. ''On begging expedition you say? We'll, we'll discuss it at our leisure, and you can lay it before Mir. Merton."
 "Ah," said that gentleman, ''how lucky it is that slipped dime into Polly's charity purse this morning! Per haps if the cause is very deserving. may be induced to contribute another stray penny. Let us hear what it is, Miss Grace, ard let me give you some oi these strawberries.
 II only want your children, and some advice this time," said Grace, detailing her plan.
 My children you may have, on con dition that you let me fill corner in on of your hampers" said Mrs. Merto, promptly. "You can use corn-bee sandwiches, know, and hard-boliet eggs too. Then doughnuts and som cake, and oh! by the way, what can yo, give them to drinkl Let me send bi. tin of milk over. I'll sec that some e goes with it to keep it cool. Then yo' can have"
 But there Grace fairly put her hand over her ears. Dear Mrs. Merton we have provisions enough for an army.
 You'll need them all; and, by tn way, let me suggest that you tell tn children to wear plain calico frocks It puts them on something resembling equality"
 ''Tll remember; thank you for think ing of it. And how about the children I told Auntie that they would numbe from thirty to thirty
 Mrs. Merton stopped to think "Yes I'll write out list after tea, so that W shall be sure to remember everybody Tom, couldn't you spare one of the farr wagons to take them all to the picni l groundi'
 E1t them Naak essr, and h tho '